Register



W. WE,

REGISTER Filed Nov. l2, 1925 jf, W.

akker/mm3 i Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

UNITED" STATES WALTER MARTIN COPELAND, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

REGISTER.'

Application filed Novemlner This invention relates to an improved register of the type which is commonly used in telephone systems for registering the number ot calls originating on the line with which it is connected.,

ln a. register of this type, the counting wheels are actuated by a ratchet and pawl operatively connected to a pivoted member, which is normally spring held against a back stop, andvvliich is provided with an armature adapted to beV moved in opposition to the spring by an electro magnet whenever the latter is energized by the closing of its circuit. Under actual service conditions in the register heretofore constructed, the. dainpness, dirt and gases in air frequently cause the points of contact between the bach stop and pivoted neeinber to become gurniny or sticky, as a result the tails to actuatethe 2o pawl and the device tails to register, thus fable loss in revenue to the pany., L .oove facts ir rnind, the incipal t ce invention is provide an ini-y proved con on, whereby such a gunimy sticlty f lne above other objects in view, vvention comprises certain details of construction combinations of elements, the advantages of which will be more fully ei;- plained it connection with the accompanying lustrating the invention in its preeo ln the drawing Figure l is aside elevation ol a register constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 oi Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 ot Figure 1.

'lhe invention is shown in connection with a telephone call register comprising an electro magnet 5, having a core 6 and mounted in a housing 7. The housing projects beyond the magnet where the two sidesare connected by a pivot pin 8, on which an armature 9 is mounted. Secured to the'projecting sides of the housing is a cap piece 10, within which a counter 11 is mounted. The counter is adaptla, ieee. serial no. llanta.

ed to be advanced through 'the medium of a ratchet wheel 12 secured to one end thereof, and held against backward movement by a gravity pawl 13, mounted on apivot pin lil extending from side to side ot' the cap piece. 'lhe ratchet Wheel 12 is adapted to be advanced by means of a pawl l5, which is pivotally mounted on a pin 1li, secured to the armau ture 9.

The armature'is normally held in its rearward position by a coil spring 18, which connects the saine to a hook 19, mounted within the cap piece 10. l/Vhen the electromagnet 5 is energized, it draws the armature forwardly into Contact with the core 6, and in oppo-l sition to the tension of the spring 18.. Vvhen the armature is in its rearward position, the rear edges or its side pieces 1'? rest against a back stop, which comprises pin 20 extending across the end oi the housing 7. accord= ance with the invention, this pin 20 is surrounded by a sleeve 21 of liber, or similar ina terial. The internav ter o n he sleeve 2l is somewhat greater 't the dianieter of pin 20, so that the sleeve i quite loosely rotate freely thereon, as well as having a limited niovenienU 'transversely the pin.

Under service conditions, as above ex plained, in the absence of 'the sleeve 21, the pin 20 frequently becomes dirty and sticlry, so that the rear edges of the side pieces 17 becoine stuclr, and the armature tails to respond to the attraction otl the magnet when the latter is energized. This sticking may perhaps be somewhat increased by the slight ivedging effect due to the position of the axis ot rotation of the armature with respect to the baci; stop, and also to the slight residual magnetic effect due to the core or the magnet completing its residual magnetic circuit through the armature. This difficulty is completely overcome by the use of the sleeve 21. This sleeve has a roller action, so that in the operation ot the armature it will easily roll out of any 100 wedged position. rllhis slight movement will also result in always presenting a new point of Contact on the sleeve, and will obviate the dirty 0r gurniny condition on the back stop. ln case there is. some adherence between the 105 edges of the side pieces 17 and the back stop, the loose mounting of the sleeve 2l permits the latter to move transversely with the armature to a certain extent, and the momentum thus gained by the armature will enable 110 the latter to easily 'overcome any adherence which might possibly be set up between the side pieces 17 and the back stop.

In order that the condition ofthe contact points between the side pieces 17 and the sleeve 21 may be readily observed, a notch 22 ma y be cut in the armature between the spring 18 and the side piece 17 at the upper end of the armature. y

It will be understood that the circuit through the electromagnet 5 is closed by a meter key, which is depressed by the operator when a call goes through. The present invention insures the operation of the register every time that the meter key is depressed. It thus insures the telephone company against loss, due to any failure which might otherwise be caused by a dirty or sticky condition vvithin the register.

While I have shown and described in detail the preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the arrangement of the various mechanism, or in the material used Without saeriieing any of the essential features of the invent-ion as expressed in the claims.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. An electromagnetic actuating device for registers and the like comprising in combination a back stop, an armature normally held against the back stop, and an electromagnet operable When energized to move the armature forwardly away from the back stop, said back stop comprising a pin and a sleeve of insulating material loosely mounted thereon.

2. An electromagnetic actuating device comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted armature cooperating therewith, and a back stop against Which the armature rests when the magnet is not energized, said back stop comprising a relatively stationary pin and a sleeve thereon, the internal diameter of the sleeve being greater than the diameter of the pin, so that the sleeve may move creumferentially or transversely of the pin.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signature.

WALTER MARTIN COPELAND. 

